Tetherable wind indicator

ABSTRACT

A tetherable wind indicator is disclosed. The wind indicator includes a hollow body with an inlet opening therethrough, the inlet opening defining an inlet area, the inlet area being smaller than the hollow body&#39;s greatest cross-sectional area, the inlet opening permitting wind to enter the hollow body. At least one tether extends from the hollow body. At least one vent is disposed through the hollow body. The vent is oriented to direct wind exiting from the hollow body such that the hollow body rotates when the wind passes therethrough.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention concerns the construction of a windindicator. More particularly, the present invention concerns a windindicator, which may be tethered to a support. Even more specifically,the body of the wind indicator is constructed so that the body rotatesupon capturing a passing breeze.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] The prior art is replete with various examples of windindicators. Some are entirely utilitarian and lack substantially anyornamental features. Others are designed to include one or moredistinguishing ornamental features.

[0005] As for wind indicators that lack substantially any ornamentalfeatures, the common windsock that is found at most (if not all)airports to indicate the direction in which the wind is blowing is oneexample. While windsocks provide an excellent indication of winddirection, they offer nothing from an ornamental standpoint.

[0006] Other wind indicators, while also functional, are designed with amore decorative platform in mind. Examples of wind indicators of thistype include weather vanes, such as the type commonly disposed on barnsand farm structures.

[0007] A recent trend suggests that decorative wind indicators arebecoming increasingly popular as lawn or garden ornaments. In responseto this demand, several manufacturers are designing and producing avariety of wind indicators for public consumption.

[0008] One example of a common type of wind indicator, also referred toas an “aerial toy,” is shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,624,648(“the '648 patent”). The '648 patent describes a rotary aerial toy,which is essentially a decorative windsock. The aerial toy is amodification of previously-known aerial toys with a basket shape (ahemispherical shape) that are designed to catch and rotate in a passingbreeze. Prior art basket-shaped aerial toys typically are composed ofseveral cloth or cloth-like sections secured to one another in such amanner that the basket rotates in a passing breeze. (The '648 patent atcol. 1, lines 18-23.)

[0009] The '648 patent describes a decorative flexible sleeve, much likean airport wind sock, that is designed to rotate like prior artbasket-type wind indicators. (The '648 patent at col. 1, lines 24-32.)In particular, the aerial toy described in the '648 patent shows anddescribes a wind sleeve 11, which is tapered from its head end to itstail end. (The '648 patent at col. 2, lines 48-50; FIG. 1.) The sleeve11 is equipped with a bridle 13 having a swivel clip 14 by which thesleeve 11 is mounted to a stick. (The '648 patent at col. 2, lines50-53; FIG. 1.) At its head end 15, the sleeve 11 has a mouth 17permitting entry of air into the sleeve 11. (The '648 patent at col. 2,lines 54-55; FIG. 1.) The tail end 18 of the sleeve 11 has an openingpermitting air to exit the sleeve. (The '648 patent at col. 2, lines55-56.) The tail end 18 also includes streamers 19, if desired. (The'648 patent at col. 2, lines 55-56; FIG. 1.)

[0010] The sleeve 11 is provided with several airchutes 71 that causethe sleeve 11 to rotate in a direction opposite to that shown in FIG. 1.(The '648 patent at col. 3, line 62 to col. 4, line 4; also at col. 4,lines 54-64.) The swivel clip 14 permits the sleeve 11 to rotate whenthe sleeve 11 is subjected to the passage of wind. (The '648 patent atcol. 2, lines 56-59.) The sleeve 11 is connected to the swivel 14 via abridle 13 made of several strings or strips. (The '648 patent at col. 2,lines 50-53; FIGS. 1, 5, 8, and 10.)

[0011] The aerial toy described in the '648 patent is typical of thetype of wind indicator prevalent in the prior art. A desire, however,has developed for wind indicators with a shape unlike that of the commonwindsock or traditional hemispherical basket.

[0012] In particular, an interest has developed for wind indicators thathave a spherical shape or a shape unlike that previously made available.To date, however, there have been no wind indicators developed tosatisfy this interest.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Accordingly, one aspect of the invention is to provide a windindicator that is shaped differently from the common windsock or basket.

[0014] Another aspect of the invention is to provide a wind indicatorthat spins upon application of a passing breeze.

[0015] Still another aspect of the invention is to provide a tetherablewind indicator with a hollow body having an inlet opening therethrough.The inlet opening defines an inlet area, which is smaller than thehollow body's greatest cross-sectional area. The inlet opening permitswind to enter the hollow body. At least one tether extends from thehollow body. In addition, at least one vent is disposed through thehollow body. The at least one vent is oriented to direct wind exitingfrom the hollow body such that the hollow body rotates when the windpasses therethrough.

[0016] Another aspect of the invention is to provide a wind indicatorwhere the hollow body has a shape that is, for example, spherical,ellipsoidal, polyhedral, and asymmetrical.

[0017] One further aspect of the invention is to provide a tetherablewind indicator where the hollow body appears, for example, as abaseball, a soccer ball, a basketball, a golf ball, a tennis ball, afootball, a volleyball, a beach ball, a pool ball, a bowling ball, aglobe of the Earth, a planet, a celestial body, a light bulb, a bowlingpin, and a hot air balloon.

[0018] The invention is not intended to be limited only to the aspectdescribed above. These are merely illustrative of the broad scope of theinvention. Other aspects of the invention will be made apparent by thedescription that follows.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] The figures of the present invention appended hereto are notintended to limit the scope of the invention in any way. To thecontrary, the figures are intended to illustrate one or more possibleembodiments of the present invention, in which:

[0020]FIG. 1 is a side view of a first embodiment of the wind indicatorof the present invention where the body of the wind indicator takes theshape of a soccer ball and the vents are incorporated as flaps into thebody;

[0021]FIG. 2 is a side view of a second embodiment of the presentinvention where the body of the wind indictor is the same as that forFIG. 1, but where the vents have been replaced by air jets at selectedlocations around the periphery of the body;

[0022]FIG. 3 is an enlarged detail of one of the vents incorporated intothe wind indicator illustrated in FIG. 1;

[0023]FIG. 4 is an enlarged detail of one of the air jets incorporatedinto the body of the wind indicator illustrated in FIG. 2;

[0024]FIG. 5 is a third embodiment of the wind indicator of the presentinvention where the body of the wind indicator takes the shape of abeach ball and the vents are incorporated as flaps into the body of thebeach ball;

[0025]FIG. 6 is a side view of a fourth embodiment of the presentinvention where the body of the wind indicator takes the shape of afootball and the vents are incorporated as flaps into the body of thefootball;

[0026]FIG. 7 is a side view of a fifth embodiment of the presentinvention where the body of the wind indicator takes the shape of abowling pin and the vents are incorporated as flaps into the body of thebowling pin;

[0027]FIG. 8 is a side view of a sixth embodiment of the presentinvention where the body of the wind indicator takes the shape of anoctahedron and the vents are incorporated as flaps into the body of theoctahedron;

[0028]FIG. 9 is a cut-away side view of an embodiment of the presentinvention illustrated in FIG. 5, showing the air pattern through thebody and one of the vents of the wind indicator;

[0029]FIG. 10 is a side view of the generic embodiment of the presentinvention show tethered to a first embodiment of a ground stake;

[0030]FIG. 11 is an enlarged side view of the top of the ground stakeillustrated in FIG. 10;

[0031]FIG. 12 is a side view of a second embodiment of a ground stakefor use with the wind indicator of the present invention;

[0032]FIG. 13 is a side view of a third embodiment of a ground stake foruse with the wind indicator of the present invention; and

[0033]FIG. 14 is a side view of a fourth embodiment of a ground stakefor use with the wind indicator of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0034] A first exemplary embodiment of the tetherable wind indicator ofthe invention is generally designated 10 in FIG. 1. The tetherable windindicator 10 takes the shape of a soccer ball.

[0035] While a soccer ball is illustrated in FIG. 1, as otherillustrated embodiments suggest, the wind indictor 10 of the presentinvention is not limited solely to this shape. To the contrary, the windindicator of the present invention may take any suitable generic shapeincluding, for example, spherical, ellipsoidal, polyhedral, andasymmetrical. In particular, the wind indicator may take the appearanceof, for example, a baseball, a basketball, a golf ball a tennis ball, afootball, a volleyball, a beach ball, a pool ball, a bowling ball, aglobe of the Earth, a planet, a celestial body, a light bulb, a bowlingpin, and a hot air balloon. As would be appreciated by those skilled inthe art, and as will be made apparent from the detailed description thatfollows, the present invention may take any suitable shape in additionto the limited list provided above.

[0036] The wind indicator 10 includes a body 12 connected to a swivel 14by one or more tethers 16. The swivel 14 may be of any suitable typebut, preferably, the swivel freely rotates 360 degrees about itsrotation axis, as indicated by arrow 18. In the embodiment illustrated,the swivel 14 is of the type typically used to connect a fishing lure toa fishing line. However, as one of ordinary skill in the art wouldreadily appreciate, any other suitable swivel may be substitutedtherefor without deviating from the scope and spirit of the invention.Moreover, it is contemplated that the swivel 14 may not be capable ofrotating 360 degrees. However, a swivel 14 that permits less than 360degrees of rotation is not preferred, because such a swivel will notfacilitate desired rotation of the wind indicator 10 attached thereto.

[0037] The body 12 of the wind indicator 10 has an inlet opening 20 atone end to permit air to flow thereinto, as indicated by arrow 22. Thebody 12 is also provided with one or more vents 24 along a peripheralportion thereof to permit the exit of air, as indicated by arrows 26. Asillustrated in greater detail in FIG. 9, the air enters the windindicator 10 through the inlet opening 20 and exits the wind indicator10 through the vents 24. Since the air is directed substantially along atangent to the exterior surface of the wind indicator 10 when exitingthe body 12, the air flow causes the body 12 to rotate about itsrotational axis 28 in the direction indicated by the two arrows 36.

[0038] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the body 12 of the windindicator 10 is made of a flexible material, which may be cloth or acloth-like substance. In the embodiment illustrated, the body 12comprises several panels 30, which are sewn together. The panels in thisembodiment are made of a nylon fabric, such as that used for parachutes,because the fabric is both flexible and durable. As would be appreciatedby those skilled in the art, however, the panels may be made from anyother suitable material. For example, The fabric may be aweather-resistant woven material that resists fading when exposed, forlong periods of time, to ultraviolet rays. For example, the fabric maybe SolarMax™ fabric, which is the commercial name of a fabricmanufactured by E. I. DuPont de Nemours and Company that resists fadingwhen exposed to sunlight over a long period of time. Alternatively,while a woven fabric may be used, it is also contemplated that thepanels 30 may be made of a non-woven material such as cellophane,plastic, or any other suitable material or combinations of materials.For the panels 30, all that is required is a material (or a combinationof materials) that may be incorporated onto at least a portion of thebody 12 so that the material (or materials) may assist in catching apassing breeze.

[0039] As illustrated in FIG. 1, since the body 12 of the wind indicator10 takes the shape of a soccer ball, the panels 30 are both pentagonallyand hexagonally shaped. This facilitates the construction of a sphericalwind indicator 10 and mimics the surface appearance of a soccer ball. Aswould be appreciated by those skilled in the art, however, the panels 30may take any suitable shape for the body 12 of the wind indicator 10 andare not limited solely to pentagonally and hexagonally shaped panels 30.

[0040] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the vents 24 on the body12 have a double-layer construction. Selected panels 30 of the body 12form the exterior surface of the vents 24. An interior panel 32 formsthe interior layer of the vents 24. The exit openings 34 of the vents 24are formed by the panels 30 themselves. In FIG. 1, while the exitopenings 34 are shown displaced from the seams 36 adjacent thereto, theexit openings may be extended to the seams 36 (and, therefore, beco-extensive with the seams 36) without deviating from the scope andspirit of the invention.

[0041] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the vents 24 have adouble-layered construction (the panels 30 and the interior panels 32),which forms an air conduit that directs the air at a tangent to theexterior surface of the body 12. The construction causes the air to bedirected in the direction of the arrows 26 to provide sufficientpropulsive force to rotate the body 12 of the wind indicator 10. Aswould be appreciated by those skilled in the art, however, thedouble-layered vents 24 that are illustrated need not be employedexactly as shown. Instead, those skilled in the art would appreciatethat many different constructions may be used to accomplish the samepurpose. Alternatively, a single-layered approach may be employed, muchin the same way as the vents in the windsock described in the '648patent discussed above.

[0042] With respect to one possible construction of the vents 24, it iscontemplated that the panels 30 and interior panels 32 are sewn togetherso that they provide a slight billow. In other words, it is contemplatedthat the two panels 30, 32 will not lie flat against one another. Whenconstructed to incorporate a billow, it is contemplated that the vents24 will more readily assist in turning the wind indicator 38, becausethey are constructed to create a natural exit for air passing throughthe wind indicator 38. Alternatively, to assist in creating a billow inthe vents, a mesh or screen material may connect the panel 30 to theinterior panel 32. The mesh or screen material would, therefore, forcethe panels 30, 32 apart at the exit opening 34 to establish a billowbetween the two panels 30, 32.

[0043] Throughout the figures, the vents 24 are shown positioned belowthe equator of the wind indicator 38. Positioning the vents 24 in thismanner helps to conceal the location of the vents 24 so that they do notdetract from the visual presentation of the wind indicator 38. Ofcourse, if positioned on the equator of the wind indicator 38, the vents24 are expected to provide the greatest spinning force. Moreover, thevents 24 could be positioned above the equator. It is contemplated thatthe vents 24 may be positioned at any suitable latitudinal location onthe wind indicator 38 without departing from the scope of the presentinvention. In addition, in the figures, each of the vents 24 arepositioned at roughly the same latitudinal position on the windindicator 38. As part of the present invention, it is contemplated thatthe vents 24 could be positioned at differing latitudinal positions andaccomplish the same objective to spin the wind indicator. For example,one or more vents 24 could be positioned above the equator, leaving theremaining vents to be positioned below the equator.

[0044]FIG. 2 illustrates a second embodiment of the present invention,which is a variation of the embodiment of FIG. 1 and which is designated38. In this embodiment, the vents 24 are eliminated altogether and arereplaced by one or more air jets 40. The air jets 40 are disposedthrough selective panels 30 and direct the air exiting the body 12 alonga path 42 tangentially to the surface of the body 12 to rotate the body12 when catching a passing breeze. All of the air jets 40, where morethan one are provided, have the same orientation to facilitate rotationof the wind indicator 38.

[0045] The air jets 40 preferably are constructed of a resilient,light-weight material. While any suitable material may be used, it iscontemplated that the air jets 40 are made from plastic or rubber. Ofcourse, as would be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the airjets 40 may be constructed from a woven or non-woven fabric or the like.In addition, while the remaining embodiments of the wind indicator ofthe invention are shown and described as incorporating vents like vents24, the air jets 40 may be substituted for any of the vents describedhereinafter.

[0046]FIG. 3 illustrates in detail the construction of the vents 24 thatare incorporated into the wind indicator 10 shown in FIG. 1. Asdiscussed, the vents 24 are a double-layered construction. The exteriorsurface of each of the vents 24 is formed by one of the panels 30. Aninterior panel 32 lies underneath the exterior panel 30 to form an airconduit so that air exiting from the body 12 moves in the directionindicated by arrow 26, thereby rotating the body 12 in the direction ofarrow 36. As illustrated, the exit opening 34 of the vent 24 isdisplaced a predetermined distance from the seam 44, which demarcatesthe transition between adjacent panels 30. As discussed above, however,the exit opening 34 may be coextensive with the seam 44 withoutdeviating from the scope and spirit of the present invention.

[0047] The wind indicator 38 illustrated in FIG. 2 is shown in enlargeddetail in FIG. 4. Here, one of the air jets 40 is shown in greaterdetail. The air jet 40 extends through one of the panels 30 and has anL-shape to direct the exiting air in the direction of arrow 42. As wouldbe appreciated by those skilled in the art, the air jet 40 need not beL-shaped. Alternatively, the air jet 40 may be of ant suitable shape todirect the exiting air at a suitable angle to the surface of the windindicator 38. As illustrated, it is preferred that the air vent 40direct the exiting air in a direction substantially tangentially to thesurface of the wind indicator 38 to maximize the turning rate of thewind indicator 38. However, if it is desired to have a slow turning windindicator 38, angling the air jet 40 to a suitable degree willfacilitate slower spinning. As illustrated, the air vent 40 is attachedto the panel 30 via a flange 46 so that the vent is secured to the body12 of the wind indicator 38. As would be appreciated by those skilled inthe art, however, the air vent 40 may be attached to the panel 30 by anyalternate, suitable attachment means.

[0048]FIG. 5 illustrates a third embodiment of the wind indicator of theinvention, which is designated 48. This embodiment, like the onesillustrated in FIGS. 1-4, is generally spherical in shape. The body 50of the wind indicator 48 is composed of several panels 52 connected toone another via seams 54 that run longitudinally to the rotational axis56 of the wind indicator 48. One or more vents 58 are disposed inrelation to the panels 52 so that air entering the inlet opening 60 ofthe wind indicator (in the direction of arrow 62) is redirectedtangentially along the surface of the wind indicator 48 so that the body50 will rotate. The exit air flows through the exit openings 62 in thedirection of the arrows 64. So directed, the air causes the body 50 torotate around the rotational axis 66 of the body 50 in the direction ofthe arrows 68.

[0049] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the vents 58 also have a double layerconstruction, just like the vents 24 in the previous two embodiments.The exterior surfaces of the vents 58 are formed by the panels 52. Theinterior of the vents are formed by interior panels 70 that includeopenings 72 so that the air may pass from the interior of the body 50through the exit openings 62. The interior panels 70 are stitched to theexterior panels 52 along seams 74. Of course, as may be appreciated bythose skilled in the art, the interior panels 70 need not be stitched tothe exterior panels 52. To the contrary, the interior panels 72 may beconstructed so that they extend partially along (or wholly along) theinterior surfaces of the panels 52. So constructed, the interior panels72 may be stitched along the seams 54 along with the panels 52.Regardless of the exact attachment pattern, vents 58 should direct theair through the exit openings 62 so that the body 50 rotates in thedirection of the arrows 68.

[0050]FIG. 6 illustrates a fourth embodiment of the wind indicator 76 ofthe invention. In this embodiment, the wind indicator 76 is generallyellipsoid in shape and is constructed to appear like a football. Thewind indicator 76 has a body 78 with an inlet opening 80. As in theprevious embodiments, the body 78 is connected to a swivel 14 via one ormore tethers 16 so that the body may rotate about its rotational axis 82in the direction of the arrows 84.

[0051] The body 78 is constructed from one or more panels 86 stitchedtogether in a longitudinal direction along the seams 88. One or more ofthe panels 86 is provided with a vent 90 having a double-layeredconstruction, as in the previous examples. The vents have exit openings92 to direct wind from the interior of the body 78 at a tangent to theexterior of the body 78 in the direction of the arrows 94. As in theprevious examples, this construction facilitates rotation of the body 78in the direction of the arrows 84.

[0052]FIG. 7 illustrates a fifth embodiment of the wind indicator. Inthis embodiment, the wind indicator 92 has a generally asymmetricalshape and is constructed to appear like a bowling pin. The windindicator 92 has a body 94 constructed of one or more panels 96 sewntogether at seams 98. The body 94 has an inlet opening 100 that permitsair to enter in the direction of arrow 102. One or more vents 104, withexit openings 106, direct air from the interior of the body 94 in atangential direction to the surface of the body 94 (in the direction ofarrows 108). This air flow pattern causes the body 94 to rotate aboutits rotational axis 110 in the direction indicated by arrow 112. Thevents 104 have a double-layered construction as in the previousembodiments.

[0053]FIG. 8 illustrates a sixth embodiment of the wind indicator 114 ofthe invention. Here, the wind indicator 114 has a polyhedral shape. Thewind indicator 114 is constructed from a plurality of panels 116connected together at seams 118. One or more vents 120 are disposedabout the peripheral surface of the wind indicator 114. The vents 120direct air that enters through the inlet opening 122 through exitsopenings 124 along a tangent to the surface of the body 126. Thisconstruction permits the body 126 to rotate around its rotational axis128 as indicated by the arrows 130. As before, the body 124 is connectedto a swivel 14 via one or more tethers 16.

[0054]FIG. 9 is a partial cross-section of the wind indicator 48illustrated in FIG. 5. The body 50 has been partially cross-sectioned toillustrate one possible air flow pattern within the body 50. Asillustrated, the inlet air flows in the direction of arrow 22. Afterpassing through the inlet opening 60, the air flows initially throughthe body, along the longitudinal axis 56, in the direction of the arrow128. Since the body 50 is essentially a closed body (no exit hole alongthe longitudinal axis 56 at the end opposite to the inlet opening 60),the air flow immediately is diverted as indicated by arrow 130. Part ofthe air flow is retained in the body 50 to inflate the body 50, asindicated by the side arrows 132, 134. A third portion of the air flowcontinues toward the bottom portion 136 of the body 50 as indicated bythe arrow 138. That portion of the air flow is redirected as itapproaches the bottom portion 136 of the body 50 as indicated by thearrow 140. The air then exits the body 50 through the vents 58 in thedirection indicated by the arrow 64. Since the air exiting the body 50is directed along a tangent to the surface of the body 50, the air flowcauses the body 50 to rotate around its rotational axis 56 in thedirection of the arrows 68. The rotational direction 68 is opposite tothe direction of the air flow 64 exiting the vents 58.

[0055] The inlet opening 60 on the body 50 of the wind indicator 48 isshown with a diameter x. Since the body 50 of the wind indicator 48 isgenerally spherical, however, there is a maximum diameter y, which isdefined at the equator of the body 50. The inlet diameter x defines aninlet area a, where a=π·(x/2)². The maximum diameter y defines a maximumarea b, where b=π·(y/2)². Since the inlet diameter x is smaller than themaximum diameter y, the inlet area a is smaller than the maximum area b.In other words, a<b.

[0056] The relationship of the inlet area a to the maximum area y isspecific to the present invention. In each of the embodiments shown anddescribed herein, the inlet area is smaller than a maximumcross-sectional area for the body of the wind indicator.

[0057] This construction differs considerably from prior art rotatingwind indicators and aerial toys (such as the '648 patent andhemispherical baskets) where the inlet area is the largest area for thebody of the wind indicator. The embodiments of this invention alsodiffer from the prior art in that the bodies of the wind indicators areessentially closed bodies, because they do not have exit openings alongthe longitudinal axes opposite to the inlet openings, like conventionalwindsocks. While the prior art does include windsocks in the shape offish, for example, where an interior dimension may be greater than theinlet opening, these wind indicators are not meant to rotate uponapplication of a passing breeze.

[0058]FIG. 10 illustrates the wind indicator 48 tethered to a firstembodiment of a ground stake 142 according to the invention. The groundstake 142 includes a ground-penetrating tip 144 at its lowest-most end.The ground penetrating tip 144 is designed to be inserted into theground 146. Since the ground-penetrating tip has a broad top 148, theground-penetrating tip 144 may be pushed into the ground, for example,by a person stepping on the broad top 148 and pressing theground-penetrating tip 144 into the ground 146 with his or her foot. Tofacilitate insertion into the ground 146, the ground-penetrating tip 144is provided with a pointed end 150. To discourage rotation of theground-penetrating tip 144 once inserted into the ground 146, theground-penetrating tip may be provided with a ground-engaging projectionor tooth 152. While it is contemplated that the tooth 152 will preventrotation of the ground-penetrating tip 144 once inserted into the ground146, the tooth may function as a tie-off for devices such as banners,etc., that may be attached to the ground stake 142. In other words, thetooth 152 may have multiple functions.

[0059] As illustrated in FIG. 10, the support stake 154 for the windindicator 48 includes three separate segments 156, 158, and 160. Thelower stake section 156 inserts into the ground-penetrating tip 144. Thelower stake section 156 includes a connector 162 at its upper end. Theconnector 162 facilitates connection of the middle stake section 158 tothe lower stake section 156, since both the lower stake section 156 andthe middle stake section 158 have the same outside diameter. Theconnector 162 may be attached, via an adhesive, crimping, or othersuitable means, to either the lower stake section 156 or the middlestake section 158. The upper stake section 160 inserts into the top ofthe middle stake section 158. In the illustrated embodiment, the upperstake section 160 has a smaller diameter than either of the lower ormiddle stake sections 156, 158. The present invention is not limited tothe support stake 154 having three segments. To the contrary, it iscontemplated that the support stake could have a fewer number ofsections or a greater number without deviating from the scope and spiritof the invention.

[0060] As illustrated in enlarged detail in FIG. 11, the upper stakesection 160 is fitted with a pivot 164 that freely rotates around theupper portion 160 of the ground stake 142 as indicated by the arrow 166.To permit the greatest degree of freedom, the pivot 164 rotates 360degrees around the upper stake section 160 and may move in eitherrotational direction. Accordingly, regardless of the wind direction, thewind indicator 48 may move around the ground stake 142 to maximize itsability to capture the passing breeze.

[0061] The upper stake section 160 includes a lower stop 168 and anupper stop 170 that sandwich the pivot 164 therebetween. The upper andlower stops 168, 170 are attached to the upper stake section 160 via anadhesive, crimping, a weld, or other suitable means so that the upperand lower stops 168, 170 hold the pivot 164 in place on the upper stakesection 160.

[0062] In the illustrated embodiment, the pivot 164 takes the shape ofan inverted Y. The first leg 172 of the pivot is hollow so that it canaccommodate the upper stake section 160 therein. The second leg 174 ofthe pivot may or may not be hollow. The second leg 174 includes a hole176 therethrough so that the swivel 14 may be attached thereto.

[0063]FIG. 12 illustrates a second embodiment of the ground stake 178according to the invention. In this embodiment, the ground stakeincludes four stake sections 180, 182, 184, 186 that telescopicallyengage one another. The top of the upper stake section 186 includes aneyelet 188 so that the swivel 14 may be connected thereto.

[0064]FIG. 13 illustrates a third embodiment of the ground stake 190.Here, the ground stake 190 includes at least three sections 192, 194,196 that are telescopically connected to one another. This embodimentdiffers from the previous embodiment in that the sections 192, 194 arelarger in diameter than those in the previous embodiment. Moreover, thesections 192, 194 are fitted with end caps 198, 200 into which theadjacent sections 194, 196 are telescopically inserted. The upper stakesection 196 is provided with an eyelet so that a swivel 14 may beattached thereto.

[0065]FIG. 14 illustrates a fourth embodiment of the ground stake 204.In this embodiment, a mid-section 206 and an upper section 208 of theground stake 204 are illustrated. The mid-section 206 telescopicallyengages lower ground stake sections (not illustrated) as in the previousembodiment. The upper section 208 engages the mid-section 206 through anend cap 210. To retain the upper section 208 within the mid-section 206,a first plug 212 is positioned beneath the end cap 210. A second orretaining plug 214 is attached to the upper section 208 at a positionbeneath the first plug 212 to hold the upper section 208 in alongitudinally-fixed position with respect to the end cap 210. The uppersection 208, however, is permitted to rotate within the mid-section 206.

[0066] A transverse section 216 is attached at the upper end of theupper section 208. First and second transverse pins 218, 220 extendoutwardly from the transverse section 216. A first eyelet 222 isdisposed at the end of the first transverse pin 218. A second eyelet 224is disposed at the end of the second transverse pin 220. In theembodiment illustrated, the first transverse pin 218 extends a lesserdistance from the transverse section 216 than the second transverse pin220. Both eyelets 222, 224 are provided for attachment of windindicators thereon.

[0067] The embodiments of the present invention that are discussed aboveare intended to be exemplary of the scope of the present invention.Under no circumstances is the discussion of the particular embodimentsintended to limit the scope of the invention, as embodied on the claimsappended hereto. It is likely that there are those skilled in the artwho will appreciate several variations of the embodiments describedabove. These alternatives are intended to be a part of the invention,just as if they had been described herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. a tetherable wind indicator, comprising: a hollowbody with an inlet opening therethrough, the inlet opening defining aninlet area, the inlet area being smaller than the hollow body's greatestcross-sectional area, the inlet opening permitting wind to enter thehollow body; at least one tether extending from the hollow body; and atleast one vent through the hollow body, the at least one vent beingoriented to direct wind exiting from the hollow body such that thehollow body rotates when the wind passes therethrough.
 2. The tetherablewind indicator of claim 1, wherein: the hollow body has a shape selectedfrom a group comprising spherical, ellipsoidal, polyhedral, andasymmetrical.
 3. The tetherable wind indicator of claim 1, wherein: thehollow body is shaped to appear as one selected from a group comprisinga baseball, a soccer ball, a basketball, a golf ball, a tennis ball, afootball, a volleyball, a beach ball, a pool ball, a bowling ball, aglobe of the Earth, a planet, a celestial body, a light bulb, a bowlingpin, and a hot air balloon.
 4. The tetherable wind indicator of claim 1,further comprising: a swivel connected to the at least one tether toconnect the tether to a support structure.
 5. The tetherable windindicator of claim 1, wherein: the at least one tether comprises aplurality of tethers extending from the hollow body at locationsadjacent the inlet opening.
 6. The tetherable wind indicator of claim 1,wherein: the at least one vent comprises a plurality of exit openingsthrough the hollow body, and the exit openings each are covered by aflap that directs the wind so that the hollow body rotates when the windexits from the hollow body.
 7. The tetherable wind indicator of claim 6,further comprising: a mesh extending over each of the exit openings. 8.The tetherable wind indicator of claim 1, wherein: the at least one ventcomprises a plurality of jets extending outwardly from the hollow body,and the jets direct the wind so that the hollow body rotates when thewind exits from the hollow body.
 9. The tetherable wind indicator ofclaim 2, wherein: the hollow body comprises a plurality of sectionsconnected together to define a sphere, and at least one of the sectionscovers the at least one vent to direct the wind exiting from the hollowbody such that the hollow body rotates when the wind passestherethrough.
 10. The tetherable wind indicator of claim 2, wherein: theplurality of sections are one of at least hexagonally and pentagonallyshaped.
 11. A wind indicator, comprising: a support; a pivotableconnector mounted on the support; a swivel connected to the pivotableconnector; a hollow body with an inlet opening therethrough, the inletopening defining an inlet area, the inlet area being smaller than thehollow body's greatest cross-sectional area, the inlet openingpermitting wind to enter the hollow body; at least one tether extendingfrom the hollow body to the swivel; and at least one vent through thehollow body, the at least one vent being oriented to direct wind exitingfrom the hollow body such that the hollow body rotates when the windpasses therethrough.
 12. The wind indicator of claim 11, wherein: thehollow body has a shape selected from a group comprising spherical,ellipsoidal, polyhedral, and asymmetrical.
 13. The wind indicator ofclaim 11, wherein: the hollow body is shaped to appear as one selectedfrom a group comprising a baseball, a soccer ball, a basketball, a golfball, a tennis ball, a football, a volleyball, a beach ball, a poolball, a bowling ball, a globe of the Earth, a planet, a celestial body,a light bulb, a bowling pin, and a hot air balloon.
 14. The windindicator of claim 11, wherein: the at least one tether comprises aplurality of tethers extending from the hollow body at locationsadjacent the inlet opening.
 15. The wind indicator of claim 11, wherein:the at least one vent comprises a plurality of exit openings through thehollow body, and the exit openings each are covered by a flap thatdirects the wind so that the hollow body rotates when the wind exitsfrom the hollow body.
 16. The tetherable wind indicator of claim 15,further comprising: a mesh extending over each of the exit openings. 17.The wind indicator of claim 1 1, wherein: the at least one ventcomprises a plurality of jets extending outwardly from the hollow body,and the jets direct the wind so that the hollow body rotates when thewind exits from the hollow body.
 18. The wind indicator of claim 12,wherein: the hollow body comprises a plurality of sections connectedtogether to define a sphere, and at least one of the sections covers theat least one vent to direct the wind exiting from the hollow body suchthat the hollow body rotates when the wind passes therethrough.
 19. Thewind indicator of claim 12, wherein: the plurality of sections are oneof at least hexagonally and pentagonally shaped.
 20. The wind indicatorof claim 11, wherein: the support is a telescoping pole.
 21. The windindicator of claim 20, wherein the telescoping pole further comprises: ahook extendable from the top of the telescoping pole, wherein the hookis adapted to connect to the swivel to retain the hollow body on thetelescoping pole.
 22. The wind indicator of claim 21, wherein the hookcomprises: a bar pivotally extending at a transverse angle to thetelescoping pole.